Cash indicator and recorder for cash-drawers



(No Model.)

I 2 Sheets-Sheet 1. E. W. BLACKHALL.

CASH INDICATOR AND RECORDER FOR CASH DRAWERS. v No. 340,545. Patented Apr. 27, 1886.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

B. W. BLAGKHALL.

CASH INDICATOR AND RECORDER FOR CASH DRAWERS. No. 840,545.

Patented Apr. 27, 1886.

n, PETER. mwum m. WIMOIL D. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDXVARD \V. BLACKHALL, OF TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, ASSIGNOB OF ONE-HALF TO JOHN HENRY SMITH, OF BUFFALO, NEXV YORK.

CASH INDICATOR AND RECORDER FOR CASH-DRAWERS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No.3 10,545,dated April 27, 1886. Application filed November 8, 1885. Serial No. 182,234. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD \VAKEFIELD 'BLAOKHALL, of the city of Toronto, in the county of York, in the Province of Ontario,

Canada, inventor, have invented an Improved Gash Indicator and Recorder Operated in Connection with a Cash-Drawer, of which the following is a specification.

The object of the invention is to arrange a device in connection with a cash-drawer so that the said drawer cannot be opened without indicating to the customer the amount he has paid, and at the same time print the amount which should beinserted into-the drawer when opened; and it consists, essentially, of one or more fingers,which may be adjusted to act on a plate or plates having the amount to bepaid printed on its face, the said finger or fingers being connected to a bar or bars having type on its or their faces and carried in a hinged board, by striking which the type on the face of the bar or bars will be caused to print on paper arranged in position inaccessible to the operator, the said board being arranged to simultaneously actuate a catch by which the cash-drawer is released and caused to spring out, the whole being arranged substantially as hereinafter more particularly explained.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved cash indicator and recorder. Fig. 2 is a perspective sectional view of the same. Fig. 2 is a detail of the bars on which the fingers and type are arranged. Fig. 3 is a detail of the slide for operating the case containing the digit-plates. Fig. 4 is a detail of the lock. Fig. 5 is a detail of the box F.

In the machine which I illustrate for the purpose of exhibiting my invention I show four bars and fingers foroperating the digitplates, as that number is advisable for properly indicating any large amount.

A is an ordinary cash-drawer fitted into the closed chamberRhavinga raised top,C,formed on it, as indicated in Fig. 1, for the purpose of containing the roll of paper on which the amount is recorded.

D are the bars, on the inner ends of which fingers E are fastened, as indicated in Fig. 2". On the bottom side of each of the bars D, I at- 50 tach a plate, a, having a series of figures in type out on its" lower face. Immediately over each of the type-figures and on the top side of the bar D, I print a series of figures which correspond with the particular figure immediately below it in type. The bottom of each bar D has also a series of notches made in it corresponding in distances apart with the dis tances between the type on the plate a.

d is a spring arranged one for each bar D, so that it will clip into each notch 12 as the said notch is brought opposite to it. In this way the letters on the bars D are readily brought into any desired position for the purpose hereinafter explained.

F is a box arranged to contain a number of digit-plates, G. These plates are arranged one back of another in rows, with ten plates in each row, as shown, each row containing the nine digits and the 0 arranged in successive order. The box F has neither a top nor bottom; but a series of cross-bars, f, are placed on its bottom, so as to prevent the plates G from falling out, but at the same time leave room for the passage of the fingers E.

The box F is inserted into a receptacle II, 5 projecting above the top C and leading into the interior of the chamber B.

I are legs formed on the box F and arranged to project to near the bottom of the chamber B.

A slide, J, is placed on the bottom of the So cash-drawer A. One end of the slide J pro jects through a slit formed on the outside end of the drawer A. The other end of the slide J has a beveled head, 99, formed on it and designed to fit below the legs I of the box F. When the slide Jis pulled out, as indicated in Fig. 2, the top of the box F is flush with the top of the receptacle H. hen it is pushed in, the top of the box F projects above the top of the receptacle H just in proportion to the distance that the legs I ascend the beveled head gg. This motion of the box F is designed for this purpose:

It will be noticed, as I have before stated, that on the end of each bar D a finger, E, is 5 attached. These fingers, it will be noticed, are dotted in in Fig. 2, and when the box F is raised on top of the beveled head 9 the bottom of the box F will be just clear of the top of the fingers E. 'When the box F is dropped 10;;

down by the slide J being withdrawn, so as to bring the beveled head 9 away from the legs I It will be noticed that the bars D are attached to a hinged board, K, which forms the cover of the top 0. This board has an aperture, It, made in it, so as to expose the top side of the bars D, on which side the figures indieating the type below are stamped.

The digit-plates G, which are arranged in the box F, correspond with the type on the bars D, so that when any one of the bars D is pulled out, so as to expose a particular figure through the aperture h, the finger E on that particular bar is immediately'below the digitplate corresponding with the figure shown and thetypeimmediately below it. Forinslance,as shown in-Fig. 1, the first bar D is drawn out so as to expose through the aperture h the figure 1. The next barD is drawn out so as to expose through-the said aperture the figure 2, and the next bar the figure 5, and the next OJ These figures are seen through the apertures h, and, asindicated in Fig. 2, thefingersE are immediately below each of the digit-plates corresponding with the figures shown through the aperture. figures projecting above the level of the box F, and as the fingers E holding these particular plates project into the box F the bars D cannot be moved until the slide J is pushed in so as to elevate the bottom of the box F, as before described, above the top of the fingers E, which action will of' course cover the par-' ticular plates which in the drawing are exposed.

L is a roll of paper, one end of which is connected to a winding-spool, M.

N is a spring-pawl, one end of which is arranged to engage with the ratchet-teeth formed on the end of the winding-spool M, while the other end projects against the inside of the end of the drawer A when the said draweris pushed in, as indicated in Fig. 2. When the drawer is pulled out, the said end of the spring N will spring out sufficiently to engage with a fresh tooth on the ratchet formed on the spool M. Thus when the drawerA is closed the windingspool M is caused to revolve the distance of one tooth, the pawl 0 on the other side of the spoil preventing the said spool from turning bac P is a sliding plate, the upper end of which projects above the top 0 and supports the hinged board K clear of the top 0. The other end of the plate P, when the drawer is closed, as shown in Fig. 2, rests upon the spring-catch j, which is attached to the inside of the end of the drawer A, and is arranged to engage with a notch or recess, 1), formed in the frame of the chamber B. This spring-catch forms the only lock for the cash-drawer A, and when the plate P is pressed down, so as to push the catch j clear of the notch in the frame of the chamber B the drawer is free to open.

Q is a spring-plate placed within the cham- In Fig. 2 I have shown these ber B immediately behind the inside end of the cash-drawer A, the tension of the springplate Q being arranged to push the drawer A out when not held by its catch j.

R is a bell carried inside the chamber B.

S is a spring-hammer designed to fit over the inside end of the drawer A when the said 'drawer is closed, and when the drawer A is opened the spring-hammer S is pulled out,

and, slipping off. the end of the drawer A, strikes the bell B.

T is a key-hole for operating a lock which secures the hinged board K to the top 0.

The lock is so designed thatthe hinged board K shall have enough vertical play to produce the desired result, while at the same time it cannot be lifted so as to open the top Ounless the lock is adjusted through the key-hole T.

Having described the general construction of my improved cash indicator and recorder, I shall proceed to explain, briefly, its object and operation.

The proprietor of a store or other place of business where my invention is to be used holds the key of the key-hole T, and before placing the machine in charge of the salesman, upon whom it is intended as a check,he raises the'board K and initials the end of the paper L, which is connected to the windingspool M. He then closes and locks the top. \Vhen a salesman has made a sale, he adjusts the bar D so as to bring the figures representing the amount of the sale immediately under the aperture h. When this is done, hev strikes the top of the board K, which, in springing down, brings the types on the bottom of the bars D in contact with the paper L, imprinting on the surface of the said paper the amount represented by the figures exposed through the aperture h. At the same time the board strikes the top of the sliding plate P, forcing it down and opening the spring-catch j, when the drawer,by the action of the spring Q, is thrown out, and as the slide J must travel with the drawer the beveled head 9 is drawn from under the legs I, which permits the box F to drop, carrying with it all the digit-plates G, except the particular digitplates under which the fingers E may at the time be placed,which digit-plates are left supported by said fingers. These, as before explained, correspond with the figures exposed through the aperture h. The drawer A is then free to open, and the requisite change may be withdrawn and the amount of cash called for by the sale inserted, when the clerk in charge is supposed to close the drawer,but leave the slide J out until the next sale; consequent] y the figures representing the amount of thesale remain exposed until the next transaction, when the clerk, before he can adjust the bars D, must push in the slide J, so as to come in contact with the legs I and elevate the box F above the top of the fingers E. When the drawer A springs open, as described, it actuates the spring-hammer S, causing it to strike the bell R and announce seems the fact that the drawer is open, and the rear end of the drawer forces the slide J out into the position shown in Fig. 2. This operation is repeated during the day, and as each time the drawer is closed the spool M is caused to revolve, so as to wind up a part of the paper L, every transaction of the day will be recorded on the paper, and the proprietor has merely to add up the figures on the paper to see how much the days transactions have amounted to, and of course that amount must be found in the drawer A.

\Vith the view of preventing any one tampering with the drawer during the temporary absence of the clerk, a key-hole, U, is provided, for which the clerk alone holds the key. Should he be called away he inserts his key and turns it, so as to throw up the bolt k, which prevents the hinged board K from coming in contact with the top of the sliding plate 1?, and consequently the drawer cannot be opened.

Although I speak of the plates G as digitplates, it will of course be understood that any kind of letters or figures will be marked on them to correspond with the letter or figure on the bars D.

What I claim as my invention is- 1. A cash -indicator consisting of one or more digit-plates, G, having numbers or figures marked thereon carried in an adjustable box, F, in combination with one or more fingers, E, attached to one or more bars, D, having figures printed on its or their top to correspond with the figures on the digit-plates G, arranged substantially as and for the purpose specified.

2. The bars D, carried on the board K, through which an aperture, h, is made to expose figures made on the top of the bars D, fingers E formed on the end of the bars D, designed to fit below digit-plates G, having numbers or figures marked thereon corresponding with the figures exposed through the aperture It, in combination with the said board K, digitplates G, and a slide, J, having beveled head,

a box, F, arranged to be supported by the bev- 7 eled head g of the slide J, so that the said box F shall be raised or lowered according to the direction in which the slide J is adjusted for the purpose of exposing the figures on the digit-plates G, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

3. A cash indicator and recorder consisting of one or more digit-plates, G, having numbers or figures marked thereon, in an adjustable box, F, carrying said plates, bar or bars D, a finger or fingers, E, attached to one or more bars D, having figures on its top to correspond with the figures of the digit-plates G, and a type-plate, a, placed on its bottom, so that each number on the said plate a shall be below the corresponding number on the top of its particular bar D, in combination with the roll of paper L, arranged to receive impressions from the plate a, and means for adjusting the box F so as to expose figures on the digit-plates G corresponding with the figures imprinted on the paper L, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

4. The hinged board K, forming a cover for the top 0 and carrying the bars D, and the re cording devices operated by the said board K, as specified, in combination with the drawer A and spring-catch j attached thereto, and the sliding plate P, arranged to actuate the springcatch j, and a spring, Q, for operating the drawer A, as specified.

5. One or more adjustable bars having indicating figures or letters on one side and corresponding type on the opposite side, to record an impression of the figure or letter, as specified, in combination with the paper slip and Inechanis'm'attached to the caslrdrawer and so arranged that the opening of the drawer shall record a letter or figure and expose a letter or figure corresponding with the one recorded.

Toronto, October a3, 1885.

E. "\V. BLACKH ALL.

In presence of- Oniis. 0. BALDWIN, J. M. JACKSON. 

